Cancer Cell Response to Anthracyclines Effects: Mysteries of the Hidden Proteins Associated with These Drugs

A comprehensive proteome map of T-lymphoblastic leukemia cells and its alterations after daunorubicin, doxorubicin and mitoxantrone treatments was monitored and evaluated either by paired comparison with relevant untreated control and using multivariate classification of treated and untreated samples. With the main focus on early time intervals when the influence of apoptosis is minimized, we found significantly different levels of proteins, which corresponded to 1%–2% of the total amount of protein spots detected. According to Gene Ontology classification of biological processes, the highest representation of identified proteins for all three drugs belong to metabolic processes of proteins and nucleic acids and cellular processes, mainly cytoskeleton organisation and ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Importantly, we observed significant proportion of changes in proteins involved in the generation of precursor metabolites and energy typical for daunorubicin, transport proteins participating in response to doxorubicin and a group of proteins of immune system characterising response to mitoxantrone. Both a paired comparison and the multivariate evaluation of quantitative data revealed daunorubicin as a distinct member of the group of anthracycline/anthracenedione drugs. A combination of identified drug specific protein changes, which may help to explain anti-cancer activity, together with the benefit of blocking activation of adaptive cancer pathways, presents important approaches to improving treatment outcomes in cancer.     

Lithography on GaMnAs layer by AFM local anodic oxidation in the AC mode

The results on the local anodic oxidation (LAO) by conductive coated tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM) are presented. AFM LAO with modulated voltage (AC mode) on thin GaMnAs layer is performed. Oxide lines produce potential barrier capable to make narrow constrictions for charge carriers. Oxide line height dependence on various parameters of the oxidation process is studied. Improvement in the homogeneity and reproducibility of oxide lines is observed. Lines up to 30 nm high are obtained. Magnetotransport measurement on constricted samples is realized.     

The application of synchrotron-based spectroscopic techniques to the study of chromate conversion coatings

This work utilized synchrotron spectroscopic techniques such as extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy (SIRMS) to understand the chemistry, formation, structure and aging of protective chromate conversion coatings (CCC). We shall discuss issues related CCC formed on aluminum-copper alloys. SIRMS combined with argon ion sputtering demonstrated spatial and depth chemical variations of the CCC formed on AA2024-T3. XANES indicated that in the first stages of CCC formation the thickness depends on the Cu content of the substrate and that thinner CCC appears to contain less Cr⁶⁺ for protection. Micro-XANES shows that even monolayer coverage of chromate can protect the alloy surface. EXAFS and XANES measurements were used to monitor the structural changes of the CCC with time. It was observed that a slight decrease in the Cr(VI)Cr(III) ratio occurred during the first 24 h following coating. The structure of the CCC is in close agreement with a Cr mixed oxide. EXAFS data appeared to indicate an increase in ordering in the CCC structure with time.     

α‐L‐Rhamnosyl‐β‐D‐glucosidase (Rutinosidase) from Aspergillus niger: Characterization and Synthetic Potential of a Novel Diglycosidase

We report the first heterologous production of a fungal rutinosidase (6‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosidase) in Pichia pastoris. The recombinant rutinosidase was purified from the culture medium to apparent homogeneity and biochemically characterized. The enzyme reacts with rutin and cleaves the glycosidic linkage between the disaccharide rutinose and the aglycone. Furthermore, it exhibits high transglycosylation activity, transferring rutinose from rutin as a glycosyl donor onto various alcohols and phenols. The utility of the recombinant rutinosidase was demonstrated by its use for the synthesis of a broad spectrum of rutinosides of primary (saturated and unsaturated), secondary, acyclic and phenolic alcohols as well as for the preparation of free rutinose. Moreover, the α‐L ‐rhamnosidase‐catalyzed synthesis of a chromogenic substrate for a rutinosidase assay – para‐nitrophenyl β‐rutinoside – is described.

     

Development of an environmentally friendly protective coating for the depleted uranium-0.75 wt.% titanium alloy: Part IV. Vibrational spectroscopy of the coating

Molybdenum oxide based conversion coatings have been formed on the surface of the depleted uranium-0.75 wt.% titanium alloy and the coating structure was found to undergo changes as it ages. Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies have been performed to examine these changes. Raman spectroscopic measurements indicate that the coating is based on an octamolybdate structure and FT-IR experiments show that uranyl hydroxide is present in the as-made coating but no longer apparent in the aged coatings, supporting the proposed mechanism describing the aging of the coating. Both techniques show that none of the molybdenum is in the form of tetrahedral molybdates.     

Melt film formation and disintegration during novel atomization process

Hybrid atomization is a new powder-making method and can produce economically very fine, clean, spherical tin alloy powders with average particle size about 10μm and narrow size distributions. The key concept of hybrid atomization is to control the liquid film formation on disk for fine powder production. Low-pressure gas atomization was utilized to promote the formation of a very thin stable liquid film before centrifugal breakup and give a better preparation for the final disintegration of melts. Besides the breakup ability of the rotating atomizer, the characteristics of liquid film on rotating disk affect the atomization mechanism and results remarkably. The main disintegration mode of melt is the breakup type of liquid film, which depends on the film instability and the atomization ability of the rotating disk. On the other hand, the mean powder size relates closely to the film thickness. The powder size distribution is mainly controlled by the atomization mode and the stability, flow type of liquid film on the rotating disk. A very thin, stable liquid film with long ligaments and a small pitch in LF mode results in very fine uniform tin alloy powders.     

Tensile behavior change depending on the microstructure of a Fe–Cu alloy produced from rapidly solidified powder

The relationship between consolidating temperature and the tensile behavior of iron alloy produced from Fe–Cu rapidly solidified powder is investigated. Fe–Cu powder fabricated by high-pressure water atomization was consolidated by heavy rolling at 873–1273 K. Microstructural changes were observed and tensile behavior was examined. Tensile behavior varies as the consolidating temperature changes, and these temperature-dependent differences depend on the morphology of the microstructure on the order of micrometers. The sample consolidated at 873 K shows a good strength/elongation balance because the powder microstructure and primary powder boundaries are maintained. The samples consolidated at the higher temperatures have a microstructure of recrystallized grains, and these recrystallized samples show the conventional relationship between tensile behavior and grain size in ordinal bulk materials.     

On elliptical model for forest fire spread modeling and simulation

A new approach for the derivation of elliptical model of steady-state forest fire spread in time based on classical envelope theory is described. The derivation of this model known in the literature is based on the introduction of a special transform of co-ordinate system which allows to utilize geometrical properties of points lying on common tangent line of two circles. However, the use of this transform means the necessity to apply some specific assumptions onto the model. The proposed new procedure allows us to derive the model without the use of this transform. The new approach enables to better explain the internal coherence of studied problem, assumptions and limitations of the model, as well as to suggest its further generalizations.